Lake Buena Vista, Fla.– The spirit of Diwali lit up Walt Disney World® Resort as more than 500 dancers from around the world gathered for the third annual Diwali Dance Fest, hosted by Jashn Productions, and produced by Jeanie Beri. For the first time ever, Diwali Dance Fest culminated in a Diwali parade at Magic Kingdom® Park, where performers danced in colorful Indian attire with the iconic Cinderella Castle as their backdrop.
"You could see the pride in each dancer's eyes as they had the view of the castle while they were dancing. We are so proud to represent our culture in such a beautiful way." said Jashn Productions Director, Jeanie Beri. “Celebrating the magic of Diwali was truly a dream come true. Jashn Productions is looking forward to giving the next generation of dancers more opportunities in mainstream venues & also hopes to create a sense of community & teaching the importance of inclusivity.”
The three-day festival began on October 9 with a Diwali Mela, where dancers and their families gathered to enjoy Indian cuisine, henna art, a dance party and photo opportunities with Mickey and Minnie.
The celebration continued at Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park with the Dance Fest Showcase, featuring 25 dance teams representing countries including the United States, South Africa, and New Zealand. Dancers performed a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary styles—from Classical Indian Dance to regional Folk Dances & of course Bollywood, —in an energetic, three-hour showcase. The event had a special guest appearance by Indian American comedian and screenwriter, Zarna Garg. The New York-based comedian known for her sharp, relatable humor about immigrant and family life hosted the evening and performed a three-part comedy lineup. Garg was joined by her entire family at Diwali Dance Fest to record a live taping of their hit show ‘The Zarna Garg Family Podcast’
"Diwali Dance Fest is an exuberant joyful and deeply impactful celebration of culture and community.” said comedian and screenwriter, Zarna Garg. “The Zarna Garg Family Podcast was honored to be a part of this year’s unbelievably talented lineup of performers. This event is so full of love and hope.”
The festival concluded with a grand Diwali parade featuring over 500 dancers, who performed in dazzling
Indian costumes to the beats of Bollywood and traditional music, filling Magic Kingdom® Park with color, rhythm, and light. Jashn Productions donated proceeds to the Desai Foundation – a nonprofit organization that empowers women and children in rural India through community programs focused on health, livelihood, and menstrual equity, with a goal of cultivating dignity and self-reliance.
